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| - I'm not quite sure why the last reviewer would think the food here authentic, just because some patrons were conversing with the shopgirl in Polish. Granted, there is that old chestnut which states, that if you see people of the same ethnicity as the restaurant dining there, it must be good.
Well, try again!
People, who are Polish don't necessarily go to Jana's because it's the best; they go there simply because that's all there is folks! The Valley's Polish establishments are few and far between and they know how to charge you for the privilege of eating food like you had at mama's back in Krakow. But while some of Jana's donuts and pastries are spot on "Polish", many of their cakes are oversweetened (by European standards). The bread -- especially the rye bread -- is good, but frequently dry. The sausage products good, but overpriced for the most part (for less expensive meats and more variety, try Warsaw Village, located not so far away by car). The prices for their stuffed cabbage and other "specialty meals", as one reviewer put it, is not outrageous, but no bargain. The stocked produce (barszcz, pate, cheeses, sauerkraut, etc.) is more expensive than at Warsaw Village, sometimes by multiples. The makowiec -- the poppy pastry previously referred to -- is usually quite good. If you buy it, I recommend NOT to take advantage of the day old ones they sell on the cheap: this cake dries out fast.
Service is efficient, polite and friendly. Variety of goods, fairly good (again, Warsaw Village beats them out). For a "bakery", you really can't fault their small selection of non-baked goods. If you're looking for authentic Polish food, you'll find it here; especially where pastries are concerned. However, their propensity to oversweeten, to no doubt please Americans' tastes, is unfortunate.
Best summed up: most likely the best Polish pastry place west of Chicago (though Europa Pastry Cafe gives them a run for their money). But like mama's back home? Yeah, I think not.
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